Christian Knighthood - an Introduction

One of my ambitious aims conserning this blog and my future publication of these essential thoughts, is not only to restore the lost concept of Knighthood, but also partly to re-define both the concept of Christianity and the Knighthood.

While it is my sincere belief that in the heart of every human, there is but a single Truth, that beyond of dogma and creeds, I still have confidence on the factual and spiritual truths of Christianity - Christianity which is properly interpreted! While I promote the Freedom of Consciense, of Thought and of Religion, and respect healthy pluralism in spiritual views I also understand that not all religions and philosphies can be true in all aspects at the same time.

Even though the whole Truth of the cosmos and beyond, and the concept of God are things we humans are incapable of grasping completely in this time, place and body, I myself as a rational person believe that there are certain things that indeed are relevant to know, and can be known wheter true ore false. One of these things is the doctrine of salvation and that of the Hell. Hell as a literal place either is, or it is not - this is how I look upon some religious doctrines. (See my post on the issue "The Truth about Hell").

My personal study and quest for the Truth will last the whole of my life, and beyond! Even so, I am certain and firm in some things, and even if not 100% certain in some, I feel I am not doing the Truth a bad favor by giving food for thought to fellow seekers. Jesus said that the Truth shall set us free (John.8:32).

Knighthood is not only European concept. We can see hints of it in the Bible and in various cultures of men, including Arabic, Native American, Japanese (Ninja and Samurai) and many others. Knighthood is about defending something holy. Most will agree that Life it self is holy, and so knights have always been the ones who guard the lives of their neighbours, loved ones and of themselves putting themselves at the risk on the sake of others.
The Truth is also holy, and so it is the mission of the knights to defend the Truth. If you do not know the Truth, you cannot defend it. Thus it is of vital improtance to strive to know the Truth, however desperate quest it may be (reference to the don Quixote). True Knighthood is a spiritual jorney rather than mere curriculum of physical improvement (though physical activities also are important).

So, why the Knighthood symbolism? Aren't we living in the 21th century?
C. S. Lewis wrote in his book, "The Necessity of Chivalry", that there are two types of people, those who are fierce in battle but cannot be gentle elsewhere, and those who are gentle in their real lives, but otherwise completely useless. The knight is a person who can be both fierce and gentle.
This is something I read from an article of certain wise Budo Sensei. He said that without rei, or the ethique/moral, taijutsu (fighting methods) are only a way of killing. The rei is what makes them Budo.

With the concept of Knighthood, we can teach the youth moral and values, self-sacrfice and will to preserve Life. Knigthood is partly esoteric in nature, and thus in it's full-fledged form, it isn't for everybody, and those who do not understand it, are not intrested in it.